St Joseph’s Staff

Judith Ford – Principal

Mrs Ford is the Principal at St Joseph’s School. Mrs Ford is an experienced junior teacher having previously taught new entrants in Room 1. She is a Kaikoura local who is extremely passionate about keeping fit, enjoying the outdoors and having fun with her family. Mrs Ford regularly enters events locally and afar and enjoys a challenge.

Jill Mortimer – Office Administrator

Jill is the office administrator at St Joseph’s School. She is new to Kaikoura having come to us from Queenstown. In her spare time, Jill loves cooking and enjoys walks along the dazzling beach while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Emma Checketts – Room 1 Teacher

Miss Checketts is the teacher in Room 1 at St Joseph’s School. She teaches the new entrants children. She comes from Dunedin and loves to cook and read in her spare time. She is a caring and friendly teacher that the students love to spend time with. She loves Drama and being part of the Kaikoura community.

Sophie Lewthwaite – Room 2 Teacher

Miss Lewthwaite is the teacher in Room 2. She teaches the year 2 and 3 students. She has a pet duck named Greg and a Mexican Walking fish that come to school every day. Her hobbies include kayaking, squash and in the weekends, she spends time with her friends and family. She is originally from Methven and studied at Otago University.

Hannah Robinson – Room 3 Teacher

Hannah Robinson joins St Joseph’s School in 2019 in Room 3.

Renee Balcazar – Teacher

Miss Balcazar is teaching in the Library and has a group of her own students.

Lucy Wareham – Room 4 Teacher

Mrs Wareham is the teacher in Room 4 and teaches Year 4 and Year 5 students. Arriving from Australia in 2019, she comes with many years of experience and is passionate about teaching. Mrs Wareham enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Mel Ford – Room 5 Teacher

Mrs Ford joins the staff as our Deputy Principal in 2018. She is an experienced teacher who enjoys sport, particularly basketball, along with spending time with her family.

Lance Percy – Release Teacher

Mr Percy is an experienced teacher. He is passionate about sport and the community especially athletics and rugby. He is currently the release teacher in Room 4 as well as relieving regularly at St Joseph’s School. He enjoys teaching technology and science.

Roseann Smith – Teacher Aide

Roseann is a phenomenal teacher aide who is a kind and caring person. Her hobbies include hunting, going outdoors, and spending time with loved ones. She spends her time going in a number of different classrooms at St Joseph’s School helping children with their learning.

Carolyn Vasta – Teacher Aide

Caro is a teacher aide at St Joseph’s School. She works in the senior classrooms supporting staff and students. In her spare time she enjoys trail running, biking, tramping and being in the outdoors. In the holidays she likes to go camping, traveling to the Pacific Islands and reading. She loves animals, especially her cats.